Highest Power: Church + State Ep103: Doug Wilson Preaches at the Pentagon, with Brian Kaylor
Feb 23, 2026
Brian Kaylor, president/editor-in-chief of Word & Way and a Baptist minister who studies Christian nationalism. He discusses how preaching at the Pentagon reframes familiar evangelical language into political theology. He traces patterns in who leads services, song choices, and how worship can be repurposed for power. He also points to resources and coverage tracking these trends.
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Episode notes
Same Sermon Different Context
- Doug Wilson's sermon sounded like a normal evangelical message but the Pentagon context transformed its meaning.
- Brian Kaylor watched live and says preaching about trusting God for protection reads differently when addressed to the U.S. military.
Clarify Church Life Versus Government Authority
- Pastors must teach the difference between living as a Christian and endorsing government theocracy.
- Kaylor urges clarifying that slogans like "all of Christ for all of life" do not mean the nation must be under one interpretation of Christ.
Scripture Framed As Military Propaganda
- Government use of Bible verses in promotional videos reframes private devotion as state violence.
- Kaylor cites Dept. of Defense clips pairing Psalm 23 and Joshua 1 with images of jets and missiles to justify military action.
